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Donald Ward Thies

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Service Information

Donald Thies, age 67, of Buffalo Lake, Minnesota, formerly of Denison, Iowa, passed away Monday, October 27, 2014, at Harmony River Living Center in Hutchinson, Minnesota.

Memorial Service will be held Saturday, November 1, 2014, at 2:30 P.M. at the Zion Lutheran Church in Denison, Iowa.  Gathering of Family and Friends will be held for one hour prior to the service at the Church on Saturday.  

A Second Service for Donald will be held Friday, November 7, 2014, at 2:30 P.M. at the Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in Buffalo Lake, Minnesota.  Gathering of Family and Friends will be held for one hour prior to the service at the Church on Friday.  

Interment will be held at a later date in the Crawford Heights Memory Garden in Denison, Iowa.

Visitation/Gathering
Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church
228 5th Street NW
Buffalo Lake, MN
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Service
Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church
228 5th Street NW
Buffalo Lake, MN
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Funeral Chapel
Hughes-Hantge Funeral Chapel
311 Main Street S.
Hector, MN 55342
Phone:(320) 848-6297
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Obituary

     Donald Ward Thies was born April 26, 1947, in Denison, Iowa, the son of Walter and Joyce (Holman) Thies.  He was baptized as an infant, and confirmed in his faith on April 15, 1962 at Zion Lutheran Church in Denison.  Donald grew up and attended school in Denison, and graduated with the Class of 1965 from the Denison High School. 

     On April 16, 1966, Donald was united in marriage to Vivian Berndt by Father Koenig at the St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Denison, Iowa.  They made their home in Denison.  Donald served in the United States Army, and was stationed at Fort Carson, Colorado.  After his discharge from active service, he and Vivian returned to Denison.   They were blessed with one daughter, Kristine.  They lived in Denison until 2002 when they moved to Hillrose, Colorado.  In 2008, they relocated, and made their home in Buffalo Lake, Minnesota. 

     Donald was a meat inspector throughout his working career.  He worked at Farmland Foods in Denison, as a yardsman supervisor.  After they relocated to Colorado, Donald worked in Fort Morgan. 

     Donald was a member of the Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in Buffalo Lake, and served as an usher.  He was an avid outdoorsman, enjoying hunting, fishing, and camping.  To enforce his love of the outdoors, he belonged to the Izaak Walton League of America.  He cherished the time spent with his children and family.

     On Monday evening, October 27, 2014, Donald passed away at Harmony River Living Center in Hutchinson.  He had reached the age of 67 years.  Blessed be his memory.

     Donald is survived by his: 

Wife, Vivian Thies of Buffalo Lake, Minnesota;

Daughter, Kristine Meagher of Cottage Grove, Minnesota;

Mother, Joyce (Holman) Thies of Denison, Iowa;

Grandchildren: Brittani Beatty and fiancé Ryan Brandt of Woodbury, Minnesota, Stephani Beatty of Cottage Grove, Minnesota, Tiffani Beatty of Woodbury, Minnesota, and Frank Clifford Walter Meagher III of Cottage Grove, Minnesota;

Great-Granddaughter, Layla Rose Brandt;

Brother, Larry Walter Thies of Denison, Iowa;

Sisters, Linda Culver (Steve) of Redmond, Washington, and Darlene Taylor of Lafayette, Colorado;

Nieces, Nephews, other relatives, and many friends.   

     Donald was preceded in death by his Father, Walter William Thies. 

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